Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed Nugget Lake West Grade Stabilization Structure Project

The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the "incidental taking" of the State-threatened snow trillium (Trillium nivale) resulting from the construction of a grade stabilization structure within Nugget Lake in Pierce County. The proposed structure will reduce waterflow velocity and erosion within an intermittent gully to improve flood control and sediment retention. The site is located within Nugget Lake County Park, in Section 32, Township 26 North, Range 15 West, Pierce County.

The project proposes to construct an earthen conservation dam across the width of the gully to impound runoff and decrease water flow velocity. The gully is currently heavily eroded with box elder, sumac and aspen at the base and northern hardwoods forest in the upper slopes and uplands and is a major source of sedimentation to Nugget Lake. The Conservation Dam is proposed to be approximately 290’ long and 90’ wide. A temporary pool area will cover approximately 1.34 acres for 24 hours. The permanent pool area will be approximately .38 acres. The total disturbance resulting from the project is estimated to be 2.5 acres. The borrow area of the structure will be an open field north of the structure that does not contain snow trillium habitat.

Surveys conducted in April of 2004 identified trillium populations within the vicinity of the project site and thousands of plants throughout the park. The proposed grade stabilization structure project will likely result in a very low number of individual snow trillium plants due to the degraded habitat and limited disturbance area. Given the size and distribution of snow trillium within the park, the project is unlikely to jeopardize the population at the site or throughout the state.

Through the Incidental Take Consultation process, Nugget Lake County Park has agreed to follow conservation measures to minimize potential take of the plant. The Department has determined that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the plant by adhering to the conservation measures; is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the state population of these snakes or the whole plant-animal community of which they are a part; and has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the action.

Copies of the jeopardy assessment and conservation measures are available below or upon request from:

Information & Supporting Materials:
Jeopardy Assessment and Background Information [PDF 17KB]